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Biomedical subjects

J Barz

Publications and source records attributed to J Barz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Pathologic features of suicidal deaths caused by explosives.

Suicidal explosions that lack a terrorist background are only rarely encountered in the field of forensic pathology. The investigation of explosion-related fatalities can be a substantial challenge in medicolegal casework. Determining whether the manner of death is suicide, homicide, or accident in such cases can present an especially difficult task to the forensic pathologist. This study considers the pathologic features of suicidal deaths caused by explosives without a terrorist background. The modus operandi of the decedents reflected familiarity and proficiency, or at least a degree of specialized knowledge, with the construction and use of explosive devices. All explosions were set off in confined spaces. The injury patterns consisted of a combination of primary blast injuries (e.g. decapitation, traumatic amputation of limbs, gross lacerations of the body surface, blast injuries of gas-containing and hollow organs), secondary blast injuries (e.g. splinter-induced penetrating trauma), tertiary blast injuries (e.g. abrasions and contusions), and burn injuries (mostly of the flash type). The previously described symmetric distribution pattern of injuries in suicidal explosions was apparent only to a certain degree in the present series. Our observation of superficially sharp-edged wound margins with bridging in the depths of the lesion in blast-induced lacerations of the skin should deserve further attention in forthcoming cases of explosion-related fatalities because this finding is a diagnostic possibility that may support the theory of an explosion-related fatality under special circumstances, e.g. when the body has been dumped away from the place of death. Because a terrorist attack may be initially suspected in each case of suicide involving explosives, the importance of a joint inquiry based on expertise from police investigators, bomb experts, and forensic pathologists is evident.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Alcohol intoxicated bicyclists in Düsseldorf 1986-1990].

Although traffic participation of bicycle riders is steadily increasing only few investigations concerning "riding while intoxicated" are available. This study examines the blood sample records of all blood samples submitted to the Duesseldorfer Institute of Forensic Medicine for blood alcohol analysis from 1986 to 1990 with respect to the participation of bicycle riders. As to the most important epidemiologic data: The proportion of samples from bicyclists increased from 2.6% in 1986 to 4.8% in 1990. Women account for 6.5%. 36.8% are younger than 30 years. Most bicycle riders were apprehended during the months of summer, on the days of the weekend and in the hours around midnight. 67.3% displayed a BAC above the legal limit for bicycle riders of 1.7 g/l. In comparison only 34.5% were judged highly drunken on medical examination. Regarding the group with a BAC above 2.5 g/l expected to be highly intoxicated 37.7% only appeared slightly or moderately impaired rising the suspicion of high alcohol tolerance.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Death, after swallowing and aspiration of a high number of foreign bodies, in a schizophrenic woman.

A 46-year-old woman who had had a long-term schizoid psychosis collapsed on the street. Upon admission to the hospital, she was determined to have an acute abdomen. The chest radiograph showed metallic foreign bodies in both main bronchi; foreign bodies in the stomach were not observed clinically. The woman died from repeated cardiac arrest shortly after hospital admission. At the autopsy a screw and a nail were found in both main bronchi. The abdominal cavity contained 2 L of greenish purulent fluid and a massive fibrinoid peritonitis was observed. Two perforations of the stomach, each 1 cm in diameter, were detected. The stomach was completely filled with a mass of metallic foreign bodies, greenish fluid, and a bezoar of a total weight of 1,400 g; 422 distinguishable and mostly metallic foreign bodies were counted. Death was attributed to cardiac arrest in delayed shock after massive purulent peritonitis caused by two gastric perforations combined with obstruction of the airways by aspirated foreign bodies. Cases of massive swallowing of foreign bodies are mainly restricted to mentally handicapped persons, especially schizophrenics, whereas acute impaction of the larynx by large food particles occurs nearly exclusively in heavily intoxicated adults.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1990

[Forensic medicine aspects of the Remscheid airplane crash].

In December, 1988, an American military pilot obviously losing his orientation brought down his jet fighter into a residential area of Remscheid, FRG. This paper reports on the medicolegal experiences gained during identification the victims. The officials plants for duty in case of disaster are discussed.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1989

Multiple suicidal gunshots to the head.

We report two cases of suicide by multiple gunshots to the head. The first victim (of two shots) fired the first shot, which was observed, into his mouth, leading to damage to the left optic nerve and frontal lobe. The man still was able to drive his car home, where he shot himself in his right temple. He died 2 days later. The second victim (of three shots) was a 58-year-old man who was found dead on his bed. Reconstruction of the case disclosed that the first shot had passed through his tongue and slightly damaged the second cervical vertebral body. He then shot himself in his right temple, leading to damage of the temporal lobe. Finally, he shot himself in his left temple, resulting in destruction of the pons. In the first case, an amateurishly modified 8-mm blank revolver firing 6.35-mm- (.25)-caliber ammunition was used; in the second case, a rifle firing 5.6-mm (.22)-caliber ammunition with a reduced charge was used. In both cases, low-energy transfer to brain tissue by the initial bullets was due to low bullet energy or due to the bullets' missing the brain or vital centers.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Fatal accidental enflurane intoxication.

Among reported cases of abuse of volatile anesthetics there is only one of enflurane intoxication. We report another fatal enflurane intoxication. A 21-year-old man found dead seemed to have experimented with enflurane. Three and one-half days after death high amounts of enflurane were detected in blood, brain, and subcutaneous fat. Gas chromatographic quantification revealed the following high enflurane concentrations: blood: 130 mg/l-1, brain: 350 mg/l-1, and subcutaneous fat: 100 mg/l-1. Histologic signs of drug-induced damage were lacking. No suicide intentions became known. It was concluded that the young man died of an accidental intoxication while abusing enflurane.

Adult↗